HIKING

In collaboration with our friends over at The Hike House, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the 10 best Sedona hikes that you shouldn’t miss. Whether you’re a hiking novice or an expert trailblazer, our list will help you plan idyllic hikes for your trip to Sedona.

Brins Mesa

The Brins Mesa trail is situated beneath the highest point in Sedona – Wilson Mountain – and takes you up 500 feet to a breathtaking mesa that overlooks Mormon Canyon and Soliders Pass. Getting to this point is stunning enough, but if you’re itching for more, then take a right at the top of the mesa (see map) for an additional 1.0 mile and 400 feet elevation connecting to the Soldiers Pass Trail. Want to trek even further? Take Brins Mesa Trail out to FR 152 (Vultee Arch Road), connect to Chuck Wagon Trail then over to Devil’s Bridge for 5.7 mile (one way)/11.4 mile (round trip).

Tucked between Brins Ridge and Capitol Butte (Thunder Mountain), Soldiers Pass trail offers a moderate hike with a backcountry feel, even though it’s almost right in the middle of town. This trail winds through arroyos, near the area’s largest sinkhole (Devils Kitchen), and along the “Seven Sacred Pools” before climbing up 509 feet to the top of Brins Mesa.

Little Horse trail is a lovely, easy to moderate jaunt that takes you across the Red Rock landscape, over a number of arroyos, and up to the top of Chicken Point. From this vantage point, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Gibraltar Rock and Munds Wilderness at the end. Want to go a bit further? Take a side hike over to visit the iconic Chapel of the Holy Cross or continue on past Chicken Point to Submarine Rock via the Broken Arrow Trail.

Directions:
Start at Orchards. Left on 89A 0.2 miles. Left onto Hwy 179 South 3.5 miles (Watch for Little Horse Sign after Back O’ Beyond roundabout. Cross over divided highway). Arrive at Little Horse Trailhead on the left.

Courthouse | Bell Rock

The Courthouse Butte Loop Trail provides a great moderate hike for the entire family. While Bell Rock is an iconic attraction and can get crowded, most visitors come to “play” on Bell Rock and forego the hike. On the southern side of Courthouse, choose from the Courthouse Loop trail or the Big Park Loop trail (preferred). Make your way around the eastern and northern side of the butte and enjoy scenic, tranquil and up-close views of the Red Rock formations. As you come around the northern side of Courthouse, don’t miss the cluster of Ocotillo below the smaller butte that some affectionately call “Pancake Rock.” Keep your eyes peeled for desert wildlife and various indigenous plants.

Directions:
Start at Orchards. Left onto 89A .2 miles. Left onto Hwy 179 4.7 miles (Pass through 4 roundabouts). Left into Courthouse Vista Parking lot. Travel an additional 1.1. miles to Bell Rock Vista Parking. Arrive at Courthouse/Bell Rock. Trailhead is on left.

Fay Canyon

This trail is another great one for whole family. This relatively flat trail starts out great, but keeps getter better as you meander your way back into the box canyon. Soaring Red Rock walls coupled with large oak and juniper trees keep this trail nice and shaded. Visiting in the fall? You’ll see beautiful changing colors everywhere you look. Fay Canyon is a beautiful year-round trail.

This trail takes you into the beauty that is Munds Wilderness, and in our opinion, is one of the best areas to hike. The diverse landscape and Red Rock cliffs will have you turning your head every direction to capture it all. There is a jeep trail that runs parallel, however the majesty of this trail will likely have you paying no attention. Check out Devil’s Dining Room ( .6 miles from the trailhead), as you continue on to Chicken Point. Several other trails that link up include Submarine Rock, Little Horse, Llama, Chapel and Bell Rock pathway.

Directions:
Start at Orchards. Left on 89A .2 miles. Left on AZ-179 1.0 miles. Left on Morgan Rd 0.6 miles. Stay straight down dirt road 0.1 miles. Arrive at Broken Arrow Trailhead. Parking is on left.

West Fork

Easily the most iconic trail in Red Rock country, West Fork Trail has it all – unspeakable beauty, soaring cliffs, ever-present water and rich history. The initial part of the trail is home to the ruins of “Mayhew Cabin”, built by Bear Howard in the 1870’s. Stories say “Bear” earned his name by killing 4 bears with only a knife. Fast-forward to 1924 when the famous American western novelist, Zane Grey, stayed at the lodge and wrote the book “Call of the Canyon” which was later became a movie. The lodge hosted many of Hollywood’s elite, such as James Stewart, Clark Gable and Walt Disney, before the Forest Service took it over in 1968 and it burned to the ground in 1976.

Directions:
Start at Orchards. Right onto 89A 10.6 miles. Arrive at West Fork Trailhead. Parking is on left.

Doe Mountain Trail

Doe Mountain Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Sedona Red Rock Wilderness—for good reason. Starting in the majestic Secret Mountain Wilderness, the trail quickly traverses up the side of Doe Mountain onto a relatively flat mesa. Once on top of the mesa, follow the rock cairns to the other side where you will be met with spectacular 360-degree red rock views. Note: As you approach the end of the trail please use caution. The trail ends on a ledge that drops off several hundred feet.

Huckaby trail is a well-disguised trail right in the middle of Sedona. While 1/3 of this hike is along Oak Creek, there is the other 2/3 of the trails that take you up and over several small canyons and bluffs. If you begin the trail at Schnebly Hill then do not underestimate the first 2/3 of the trail as it can be a little challenging. As you move into the mid point of the trail, you will find excellent views of Sedona, Wilson Mountain, Capitol Butte (Thunder Mountain) in the distance. As you near the final 1/3 of the trail you will drop down 200 hundred feet as you enter the lush riparian portion of the trail next to Oak Creek….this is a special place.

Directions:
Start at Orchards. Left on 89A .1 miles. Left on Hwy 179 .3 miles. Left on Schnebly Hill Road 1 mile. Arrive at Huckaby. Parking on left.

Boynton Canyon Trail

Boynton Canyon Trail is a stunning hike through a picturesque canyon that moves you through a varied landscape. Make no mistake the real gem of this trail is found in the final 1/3 of the hike as you enter a high forest with large pines, oaks and even alligator junipers. The first 2/3 of the trail are really just a “means to the end” as you make your way through low growth scrub forest and along the east side of Enchantment Resort. As you hike this trail you will notice a stark contrast in temperatures as you leave the low growth, open red rocks in the first 2/3 and enter “the forest” and rise in elevation. The trail ends in grand fashion as it rises up and crescendos onto a quasi-plateau above tree tops.

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